Conversation Hour special: Nicky Winmar and Jason Mifsud

By ABC Local

On the eve of the AFL Indigenous Round of football and the opening of a special exhibition at the National Sports Museum, Jon Faine will be joined by Jason Mifsud and Nicky Winmar, talking about the 20th anniversary of the day Nicky Winmar made one of Australian sport's most famous gestures against racism.

It's 20 years since a St Kilda football player named Nicky Winmar jogged up to the boundary line in front of the Collingwood cheer squad and made what was to become an historic gesture of Aboriginal strength and pride in the face of shouted racism from sections of the crowd.

To mark the occasion the National Sports Museum has launched a new exhibition Black and Proud: A stand against racism featuring never-before seen images of Winmar before and after his momentous gesture, a collection of posters, artworks and photographs that reflect the gesture amongst other items.

On Thursday, May 23rd at 11am, join us for a very special Conversation Hour on ABC Local Radio.

Jon Faine will be joined by co-host and current deputy chair of the Melbourne Football Club Bev O'Connor, as Nicky Winmar and fellow AFL veteran and current AFL community engagement manager Jason Mifsud to discuss the past and present for Indigenous players in the Australian Football League.

Earlier Jon spoke with photographer Wayne Ludbey who captured the iconic image of Nicky Winmar at Victoria Park in 1993.

"The symbolism of what Nicky did that day - I was aware of straight away. I just thought it was so important that it was recorded in the Sunday Age the next day."

Click the on demand audio player to listen to the full interview with Wayne Ludbey.

The AFL Indigenous Round is on from May 24 - 26; the AFL declares the Indigenous Round to be inspired by that day at Victoria Park and Nicky Winmar's actions.

"Raising his guernsey and standing strong in his culture, 20 years ago Nicky Winmar gave us an unforgettable symbol of determination and pride. Today the AFL Indigenous Round is a celebration of our country's Indigenous culture and players that have shaped Australia's game.

"A game that unites us all, players and fans, standing strong and proud for the past, present and future generations."